Updated 2/16 @ 11:33 p.m.
Let me introduce you to Player X.
Despite being just 6-feet tall, Player X’s basketball skills are undeniable. He always finishes around the rim and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. He hustles, plays tough defense and rarely commits a turnover.
Player X is often described as a “pure shooter” and with good reason. He has a field goal percentage of better than 50 percent, shoots nearly the best in the nation from behind the 3-point arc and misses two out of every 40 foul shots he shoots.
Player X is a captain, senior and arguably the best player on his team. But despite all of his talents, Player X doesn’t start for his team.
His coach says it is necessary because the team needs a boost off the bench. Player X accepts his new role, and watches time and time again as his team falls behind early. He’ll come in, make a big play, and the team will work its way back into the game.
If this is starting to sound familiar, that’s because Player X is U guard Johnnie Bryant.Now, I’m not going to pretend I know more about basketball than Jim Boylen and I know that second-guessing him is tantamount to sacrilege in these parts. I’m merely wondering aloud why things are the way they are.
On Saturday against San Diego State, the Utes found themselves in another early hole when they were unable to score a point in the first 6:37 of the game. Bryant was out of the game for the majority of that time. When the Utes finally did score, it was Bryant who issued the first blow on a steal and a fastbreak layup. Moments later, he hit a 3-pointer to cut the Aztec lead to 11-7.
In retrospect, I guess Johnnie Bryant was exactly what Boylen intended him to be. He did bring a spark when he came into the game. He did ignite the offense.
My question is, why not have Bryant in for the start of the game so he and the Utes don’t have to dig themselves out of such a big hole?
After the game, Boylen said the poor offensive start was due to nerves-that he and the players wanted to win so badly for the all of the former greats that they came out too wound up.
That might be true, but the Utah starting lineup isn’t exactly built for high-scoring affairs. Think about it. There isn’t a pure shooting scoring threat there. Tyler Kepkay is a pass-first point guard. Carlon Brown is a drive-to-the-basket athlete. Shaun Green and Lawrence Borha can go off from the outside, but they’re much better known as defensive hustlers rather than lights-out shooters. If there is a go-to offensive guy, it’s Luke Nevill, and many teams have successfully been able to suppress him this season.
After the game against San Diego State, Borha was asked how much it helped to have a guy like Johnnie Bryant on the team to support the offense. His response?”That’s just what Johnnie does,” Borha said. “He comes in and makes big baskets for us. He was definitely the turning point in the game today.”
Bryant has been the turning point in many other games this season too. He has led the team in scoring 10 times despite only averaging 25.9 minutes per game.
I understand Boylen’s thinking behind Bryant not starting games. Help off the bench is hard to find and he provides a spark for the offense when the opposing team may be wearing down a little bit. I guess I just don’t understand why Utah’s best shooter sits on the bench at the start of games while the team’s oft-anemic offense digs the Utes into holes.
I asked Boylen after the game if Bryant’s recent play-nearly 18 points per game over the past 10 games-could possibly earn him a starting spot. He looked at me, smiled politely as though he were fielding a question from a third grader, and gave a prompt no.
It looks like Player X is just destined to play housekeeper, picking up for others after they make the mess. Good thing for Boylen and the Utes this housekeeper is a team player and doesn’t mending a few fences as well.
Tyler Cobb